PSA-based screening for prostate cancer after renal transplantation

[Localized Prostate cancer in candidates for renal transplantation and recipients of a kidney transplant: The French Guidelines from CTAFU]

OBJECTIVE

To define guidelines for the management of localized prostate cancer (PCa) in kidney transplant (KTx) candidates and recipients.

METHOD

A systematic review (Medline) of the literature was conducted by the CTAFU to report prostate cancer epidemiology, screening, diagnosis and management in KTx candidates and recipients with the corresponding level of evidence.

RESULTS

KTx recipients are at similar risk for PCa as general population. Thus, PCa screening in this setting is defined according to global French guidelines from CCAFU. Systematic screening is proposed in candidates for renal transplant over 50 y-o. PCa diagnosis is based on prostate biopsies performed after multiparametric MRI and preventive antibiotics. CCAFU guidelines remain applicable for PCa treatment in KTx recipients with some specificities, especially regarding lymph nodes management. Treatment options in candidates for KTx need to integrate waiting time and access to transplantation. Current data allows the CTAFU to propose mandatory waiting times after PCa treatment in KTx candidates with a weak level of evidence.

CONCLUSION

These French recommendations should contribute to improve PCa management in KTx recipients and candidates, integrating oncological objectives with access to transplantation.

Prostate Cancer Recurrence in Kidney Transplant Recipient 15 Years After Radical Prostatectomy: A Case Report

Incidence of malignant tumors in kidney transplant recipients is higher than nontransplanted population due to many factors, such as immunosuppression therapy and complex donor-recipient interaction. Genitourinary malignancies have been reported as the second most common malignancy in kidney transplant recipients. In this regard, prostate cancer is the most common neoplasm. Herein, we describe a rare case of prostate cancer recurrence after 15 years in a patient who underwent kidney transplant after radical prostatectomy.

Prostate cancer in renal transplant recipients

As patients with end-stage renal disease are receiving renal allografts at older ages, the number of male renal transplant recipients (RTRs) being diagnosed with prostate cancer (CaP) is increasing. Historically, the literature regarding the management of CaP in RTR's is limited to case reports and small case series. To date, there are no standardized guidelines for screening or management of CaP in these complex patients. To better understand the unique characteristics of CaP in the renal transplant population, we performed a literature review of PubMed, without date limitations, using a combination of search terms including prostate cancer, end stage renal disease, renal transplantation, prostate cancer screening, prostate specific antigen kinetics, immuno-suppression, prostatectomy, and radiation therapy. Of special note, teams facilitating the care of these complex patients must carefully and meticulously consider the altered anatomy for surgical and radiotherapeutic planning. Active surveillance, though gaining popularity in the general low risk prostate cancer population, needs further study in this group, as does the management of advance disease. This review provides a comprehensive and contemporary understanding of the incidence, screening measures, risk stratification, and treatment options for CaP in RTRs.

Urological malignancy after renal transplantation

Immunosuppression in solid-organ recipients is associated with a greater risk of de novo malignancy after transplantation; herein we report the UK transplant registry (UKTR) database of urological cancer after renal transplantation in the UK transplant population. From September 1999 to January 2006 there were 10,847 kidney recipients with at least one period of follow-up reported after a kidney transplant (mean age at transplantation 42.4 years, sd 15.5; 6685 male, 61.6%, and 4162 female, 38.3%). The recipients represent a homogenous group who received different immunosuppression regimens. Skin cancer was excluded from the study. Unfortunately, the UKTR does not collect information about the presence or absence of cancer, either at registration onto the transplant waiting list or at transplantation. In all, 214 (1.9%) patients were reported to have a subsequent urological malignancy diagnosed among the 10,847 recipients. The UKTR was used to identify patients who developed urological malignancies after renal transplantation, which is a challenging event after solid-organ transplantation. Regular surveillance to diagnose early occurrence and adjustment of immunosuppression might be beneficial. In the presence of metastatic disease, chemotherapy treatment with adjustment or cessation of immunosuppressive therapy is required.

Surgery for localized prostate cancer after renal transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of perineal radical prostatectomy (RP) in renal transplant recipients with localized prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study comprised seven consecutive renal transplant patients who had a perineal RP between May 1991 and February 2004. All available clinicopathological data were reviewed. Results All seven patients successfully tolerated RP with no major complications. The mean (sd, range) age at surgery was 62.3 (2.5, 55-74) years and the mean interval from renal transplant to RP 86.5 (25.25, 24-192) months. There was no evidence of increased blood loss, operative duration, transfusion requirement, hospital stay or deterioration of graft function. The presence of an allograft did not alter the surgical approach or management of the patients after RP. The mean follow-up was 22 (2-130) months and all seven patients were followed. One patient had evidence of biochemical recurrence with no radiographic evidence of metastatic disease. Serum prostate-specific antigen was undetectable in the remaining patients.

CONCLUSION

A perineal RP in renal transplant recipients for treating localized prostate cancer offers many advantages over other treatments.

Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer in Kidney Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

This is the first report of graft function and prostate cancer control in renal transplant recipients subjected to modern conformal radiotherapy.

METHODS

Eight kidney transplant recipients were treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. All patients but one were subjected to transitory hormonal deprivation. A three-dimensional radiotherapy-planning system (Pinnacle, Philips Medical System, Bothell, WA) was used to delineate anatomic contours on pretreatment computed tomography and for dose computation. The clinical target volume encompassed the prostate and was expanded with a 10-mm wide margin in all directions to obtain the planning target volume. The irradiation technique consisted of a nine-field arrangement delivering 70 Gy in 2-Gy fractions, with 18-MV photon beams. Biochemical recurrence was defined as two consecutive increases in prostate-specific antigen (>1.5 ng/mL). Graft function was monitored by creatinine clearance. Excretory profiles were assessed by furosemide-stimulated diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renography. All patients were subjected to hip magnetic resonance imaging to assess for avascular hip necrosis.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 28 months, two patients showed isolated biochemical recurrence and six patients remained free of recurrence. In seven patients with functional allografts, the creatinine clearance was unimpaired by treatment. However, significant obstruction of the terminal ureter was revealed in two patients by furosemide-stimulated diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renograms. The doses delivered to the uretero-neocystostomy were calculated to range from less than 20 Gy to more than 45 Gy depending on bladder repletion.

CONCLUSIONS

Adequate cancer control was achieved at the expense of infraclinical ureteral obstruction. The doses delivered to the uretero-neocystostomy may be reduced by having a full bladder at the time of irradiation. No avascular hip necrosis was observed.